SSG Shawn Ireland

Army | Infantryman

Dates of Service: Jul 1978 - Nov 1985

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Bio

Journeyman Carpenter

Military Experiences

1985 - Nov 1985

SDNCO

HHC Co, 3/47th Inf. | Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)

Due to my injury to my hip I was given a permanent profile that prevented me from being able to due my job as an Infantryman. So when I got to Ft. Lewis, WA. I was given the job of SDNCO. I guarded the Brigade Headquarters, pulling a 24 hour shift and then had the next two days off. I did not have to report to the company nor react to any alerts unless I was on duty at the time. During this time I continued to go through the remaining medical boards and was separated on the 27th of November 1985. The Army nor the VA took care of my hip and in 2014, I talked to my personal insurance doctor and asked for a consult and was seen by a Orthopedic Surgeon who did a complete hip replacement. It took over 30 years to get my hip fixed and neither the Army nor the VA would do the needed operation.

Jan 1983 - Jan 1985

Squad Leader, Assistant Squad Leader

B Co. and HHC Co. 2/30Inf. | Schweinfurt, Germany

Squad Leader for Mechinized Inf. squad. Acting Platoon Sergeant, and Assistant Squad Leader, PAC Awards Clerk, NEO NCO for the Battalion, Battalion Adjudants Assistant, and Computer Operator for the Battalion PAC. Was effective in getting a awards program back up and functioning for the Battalion, which had not seen many medals being awarded until I reinstituted the program to where it was up and running according to the Army refs. Restarted the NEO Program that was responsible for the evacuation of all dependents and non essential personnel back to the states in the event of hostile attacks. Ran the errands for the Adjutant so he could remain ready for the Battalion Commanders needs. Frequently picked ip the nightly blotters from the MP Station for the Battalion Commander to make sure that any troops who had gotten into trouble with the MP's were dealt with.while aSquad Leader my Squad always finished distinguished on all courses while in the field on maneuvers. Was a member of our Battalions USAREUR Marksmanship Team which competed at Hoenfels Training Area, from 10-15 July 1983. Attended numerous schools to include BNOC. Also was a Packet Leader for the 3rd ID Reforger Umpire School of which I was awarded The Army Achievement Medal. Was injured during a demonstration for the CORP CSM, on the new Miles System. My Squad had done so well that we were on our third challenge when I jumped and rolled and landed on my Canteen Cup and it broke my left hip. This was the undoing of my Army career. I was Hospitalized for a week and my Orthopedic Surgeon decided not to operate as I was only 25 years old and he figured it would do more damage than good and I was made to walk and crush the bone fragment in my hip socket. Went through medical board and returned to the states for Discharge.

Jan 1981 - Dec 1982

Squad Leader

D Co. 3/47th Inf. | Ft. Lewis,WA.

Was a Squad Leader for a 11H squad. I was responsible for the men and two TOW Rocket Systems and the two vehicles and trailers and computer systems that operated the rocket systems. Was acting Platoon Sergeant for a period while we were short E-6's and higher NCO's. Was the Company Prisoner Guard, and attended as many schools as was possible at my rank of Sergeant E-5.

Nov 1978 - Nov 1980

CO's APC Driver

C Co. 1/54th Inf. 1st Armor Division | Bamberg, Germany

Started as a APC Driver for 3rd Platoon. Squad Leader and Track Commander was Sgt. Roger Botkins. When our company had a change of command and the new Co. Commander Cpt. Wayne Scholtes took over my Squad Leader Sgt. Botkins and I were moved down to HHC Platoon and I became the CO's APC Driver and Sgt. Botkins was track commander.My duties included the maintenance of my APC, and when required maintenance by the company mechanics I was required to assist in the repairs and removal and installation of the power plant. This also included the upkeep of the communications as well. I was also qualified as the assistant gunner on our M2 machine gun.

Deployments

(8 years, 1 month)

Jan 1985 - Nov 1985

Ft. Lewis, Washington

HHC Co. 3/47th Inf. 3rd Brigade, 9th ID SDNCO. Worked for Gen. Mc Caffrey, who was The Brigade Commander. Worked 24hr. Shift and then two days off. This was my last job as I was finishing my medical boards for separation from the Army for line of duty disability.

1983 - 1985

Germany

Schweinfurt, Germany, Squad leader, injured in line of duty and moved to the Battalion PAC, Awards Clerk, NEO NCO, Computer Operater, general overall clerk. Medically Disabled, went through Med. Boards for separation from service.

1981 - 1983

Ft. Lewis

D Co. Squad leader for 11H, TOW Rocket Systems (2), Prisoner Guard, Vehicle Driver of the Company Gamma Goat.

Nov 1978 - 1981

Germany

First station. APC Driver for Squad, and Company Commander. M2 Gunner, M3 Grease Gun, M16, 1911 .45. Company Carpenter, Dragon qualified, Small arms for Air Defense M60, and the M2. Top gunner for the ArmySchool of Small Arms for Air Defense. Shot down guide target with both weapons, was only class member to achieve this for that cycle.